Sense is a line, the mind is a circle. Sense is like a line which is the flux of a point running out from itself, but intellect like a circle that keeps within itself.
—Ralph J. Cudworth, Treatise Concerning Eternal and Immutable Morality
The second semester of his senior year at Harrison High School started off, on a scale of one to ten and ten being the best, very much a one. Aside from being late to his composition class, Craig Hopwood found his academic schedule conflicting terribly with his extracurricular activities like daily basketball practice, student council meetings, and weekly piano lessons. His notebook had fallen out of his backpack somewhere between home and school, his student identification card would not check through the computer properly when he went to check out his textbooks, and the group of friends he car pooled with had chosen to switch roles and leave him out of the circle this time. And yet as he tapped his fingers irritably on the small desk in the crowded, stale-smelling classroom, the only worry truly on his mind was around his forearm and hidden by a long-sleeved red and black checkered dress shirt.
"So you made it out alive, huh?"
Craig knew it was Cecil before he turned, but was glad he refrained from answering when he discovered his best friend was not alone. Sarah Collins stood at his side, her height easily matching her companion's, with beautiful light brown hair curling at her shoulders and bright eyes to match, wearing a dull gray sweater with the school name written on it and suitably matched sweatpants. Since they were in grade school Craig had kept his eye on Sarah, but between then and now she had begun religiously dating someone else and remained unavailable. She handed him a familiar notebook and explained, "Your father gave it to us when Cecil and I stopped to pick you up. He said you were already gone and had forgotten it."
"Thanks," Craig said, taking the book and smiling politely, resisting the urge to ask the questions pounding in his head. Why did you stop at my house? What are you and Cecil doing together at all? And had Cecil told her anything about their failed escape to the south yesterday? "You look lovely, Sarah. Cecil, can I have a word with you...in the hall?"
In the rushing corridors, Cecil seemed characteristically relaxed and yet taking everything in, and a toothpick appeared between his teeth in the blink of an eye. "Second hour starts in a couple minutes, you know," he said with a grin. Then, "Oh, this is about the Venus brigade?"
"They're not from Venus," snapped Craig, and the other teenager raised his hands in surrender and replaced the smirk with a questioning look. "What happened yesterday? I went back to get you but you had disappeared."
The other shifted, but slightly enough not to give away a hint of nervousness. He seemed to be debating about telling the truth, and friendship won out this day. "Well, it happened right after you...decided. I felt someone grab my shoulder and this strange vision appeared to me, but then I woke up back in Ivory Glade and everything after leaving you was a blur."
Craig leaned forward. "A strange vision?"
"Yeah, it's hard to explain," answered Cecil. "There were two people, they were talking, but that's all I remember clearly. Something bright flashed far away, too."
And then the bomb was dropped. "How does Sarah fit into all of this?"
Cecil shook his head with a smile, twisted the toothpick to the other side of his mouth with his tongue. "I was wondering how long it would take you to ask. Don't worry, it's actually pretty good news. She was walking around town alone yesterday about the same time I was...sent back. She told me how Dominic and her had broken up because he wanted both of them to run away together, but she wanted to stay. I guess he left town without her and she just feels abandon now."
"He left her?" Craig breathed in wonder.
"Pretty shocking, huh?"
Cecil started walking back into the classroom, but Craig's hand on his shoulder stopped him halfway, allowing Craig to say, "Sorry for attacking you. I was just a little...stirred, I guess you could say. Friends?"
"Of course," replied Cecil, removing and tossing the toothpick aside. "No offense taken. Go talk to Sarah, have yourself a good time."
Without his worry globe Soleron wondered if he would break his digits clenching his fists so tightly together. He was the only one standing, eyes fixed to the monitor displaying the two teenagers walking back into a studying room, and more tense than his four allies combined. Talyserys lounged in the chair, appearing half-asleep except to those who knew him inside and out like Soleron, looking old and worn but woe to the man or woman who assumed that made him less of a threat. Laurasia played a comforting song on the Charm Flute from home but its sweet melody was lost on her leader's solemn mood. In the adjoining chamber of Alpha Complex, Pyrial practiced his hand-to-hand fighting techniques, insisting that despite their powers being relinquished they were still capable of achieving victory over evil. Beautiful Seraide sat in front of the control panels with her successor, young Brittany, explaining the numerous and various capabilities of the Complex.
"Does this child's disappearance cause anyone else, save me, concern?" Soleron asked.
"The Dominic character?" growled Talyserys. "Seems harmless, but if Arcanza is moving, I am willing to bet he is going to want those loyal to him to check in soon."
Brittany stirred, demanding, "You think Dominic is a member of Twilight Legion?"
"Leaders are such because they read between the lines," Soleron replied, masking the irritation in his tone with a layer of lecturing. From Seraide's condemning glare it seemed his attempt failed. "They see possibilities before they happen. They must think. The boy better not screw this up, or we are all doomed to fates worse than losing."
The flute music stopped, Laurasia said, "Have some faith in them, Sole," and continued playing through the scowl Soleron turned on her.
"There are fates worse than losing," hissed Soleron. How he wished he had that worry globe back right now!
Classes were being dismissed for the day, so Craig hurried to catch up with Becky and Alex who were getting out of third-year English together. He led them unobviously through the halls to an empty classroom and shut the door to give them privacy. Touching the band around his forearm he exclaimed, "OmniTech Barrier!" and instantly an invisible sound-proof barrier surrounded the edges of the room.
"How the hell did he know how to do that?" screamed Soleron, barely noticing everyone else was on the edge of their seats. The instant after the young man on the screen spoke the command to raise a barrier, the monitor displaying him and the other two teenagers flickered and went out faster than a un-maintained magicandle.
Seraide seemed more amused than horribly stunned. "Perhaps...he discovered a talent?"
It would not matter if Soleron still had the worry globe now, because it would have shattered under the incredible pressure of his enraged fists.
"Have either of you two met Sarah Collins?"
Rebecca nodded enthusiastically and exclaimed, "She's the cheerleading captain!" while Alexander shrugged and added, "That's all I know."
Craig sighed inwardly. "Anyhow, Sarah and a guy named Dominic have been going out steadily for the better part of three years now. Well, technically, not now, because Dominic pulled a disappearing act on her yesterday."
"Okay," Becky coaxed, wanting a better explanation.
"What else happened yesterday?" asked Craig. Both friends opened their mouths to recite the many remarkable events, but he cut them short by narrowing the question. "I mean, what else disappeared yesterday?"
That stopped them both for a few seconds, eyes going out of focus as they sifted through the previous day's happenings. Finally Alex hit the answer. "Twilight City."
"If there ever was a Twilight City," added Becky.
Craig smiled, earning a returned one from Becky, then continued, "Right, Twilight City. There may or may not be a connection between the two disappearances, but I still think we should look into this, just in case. If we have access to one of Arcanza's followers, we have access to Arcanza as well."
Alex nodded. "So where do we start?" he asked.
"I have a feeling Dominic is coming back to try one more time to convince Sarah to run away with him," explained Craig. "We just have to keep an eye on her at all times. If either of you see Dominic, contact me immediately and I'll handle things from there."
Laughing, Rebecca wondered, "Is it too late to retract that promise to obey you?"
Craig grinned mischievously. "Too early. By twenty years."
Some time after the three friends dispersed, Becky to cheerleading and Alex to the small martial arts studio his grandfather ran, Craig wandered through the streets of Ivory Glade to Sarah's home. It was a nice-looking two-story home that appeared empty at the moment. Submitting himself to the powers in the Omni Morpher, Craig managed to teleport inside in an incredibly fast traveling red-colored energy beam.
The family room was small and comfortable, adorned with pictures of Sarah, her younger brother, and her parents. Some Christmas decorations were still lingering but there was little if anything out of place. Craig had been here once and noted the arrangement had not changed much since then. Everything was quiet, set in place, serene.
"How did you get in here?" a voice demanded from behind.
Swinging around, Craig fell away from the entrance leading into the dining room where the voice had originated. Standing there was Dominic, dark and rugged, piercing the air with solid hatred. His face was scarred and beaten and he breathed jaggedly, as of he had been injured.
Light filled Craig's eyes, burning away the background so only Dominic himself was visible, and suddenly the OmniTech Analysis silently sprang to life. Sure enough, a level of pseudoine was detected and steadily on the rise. "Twilight Legionnaire," growled Craig, assuming a fighting stance and preparing to make a retaliatory strike. Dominic made no movement.
"Craig," Rebecca's voice suddenly whispered in his ear through the communication power of the OmniTech. "Sarah's not at practice. I'm worried about her. I'll let you know when I find her."
"I never had a choice," Dominic spoke in pain. "My parents gave themselves over to Arcanza when my mother was still pregnant. I grew up immersed in Twilight Legion activity. As a baby I was injected, so while I was growing up I was the subject of study after study. When we moved here I thought it would all be over." Tears began rolling down his cheeks, a tremble in his voice reflecting that in his heart. "I was taken to Arcanza yesterday, and given my instructions. My love for Sarah helped me fight them at first, but now...I see...there's no other...way..."
In the next instant chaos erupted. Sarah opened the front door, exclaiming, "Craig? Dominic!" and Becky right behind her echoing her startled cries. Dominic suddenly grew head and shoulders taller, growing more muscular and hairier, eyes burning with a furious red glow. "No!" Sarah's voice gasped in horror as a wolf-like beast of a creature took the place of her lost boyfriend. In Craig's ears a shout of "Omni Sphinx!" startled him.
Suddenly a column of yellow light dropped through the ceiling, materializing into the Yellow Ranger, gleaming sword in hand. Dominic—more like Dom Coyote now—snarled, lunging forward to tear the Ranger apart, but the blade of the weapon prevented the decaying teeth from nearing her.
"Come on," Becky urged Sarah, tugging on her and pulling her back outside through the door. When he was sure they were safe, Craig raced to Brittany's side and exclaimed, "It's morphin' time! Omni Titan!"
Now armed with the powers of the Red Omni Ranger, Craig met Coyote's stare directly on, wishing for any outcome except the one that was to follow. "Battle Shield!" he summoned, the golden protective armor forming around his upper chest. He moved in with raised hands and tried talking to Dominic, hoping part of the runaway was still inside the monster. "Listen, Dominic, I don't want to hurt you. I know how diabolical Arcanza is." Not really, his mind told him, but he pushed that thought from his mind. "It's not your fault, but you do have the power to fight it. Fight it, man!"
"F-f-f-iiight-t-t!" the beast formed his howling sounds into the word, then charged ahead again, slashing to kill. Craig dropped back and down, sweeping his foot out in an attempt to trip Coyote, but the thick powerful legs would not give way. The pseudoine-enhanced wolf human reached down and grabbed Craig, pulling him up.
A male's voice from the door cried, "Put him down!" Suddenly Craig saw Alex leap into the corner of his vision and execute a side kick that stunned Dom Coyote, causing him to drop his captive on the floor. Enraged, the monster lashed out with its front paws, and Alex screamed as they tore out three straight lines along the better part of the length of his left arm. He fell against the wall, clutching the bleeding injury with his good hand.
"Are you okay?" Craig gasped as he scrambled over to Alex, just heartbeats after Brittany did the same. "Take it easy, Alex, take it easy." He held his savior steady as Alex stood and lifted the bloody arm to raise the Omni Morpher.
"Omni Dragon!"
The Green Ranger's arrival was announced with a flash of green light, followed by a trembling earthquake that stirred Dom Coyote into frenzied panic. The four-bladed weapon appeared in Alex's hand and he exclaimed, "Gaia Star Charge!" He threw the Star, creating a beam of green energy that penetrated directly through Dominic's chest, burning its way completely through to the other side. The beam returned, passing through the canine-like head this time, and becoming a solid weapon again in the Ranger's hand.
Dominic collapsed to the ground and began to revert back into a human state.
Craig turned away, too disturbed to see what the final result was. He looked at Alex, who stood still, left arm still scratched but no longer losing blood, and Brittany, who started walking toward the body, saying, "I'll get this out of here."
He opened the door to see Becky and Sarah, tense and tearful on the street curb. Sarah turned when she heard him and cried out, "What happened to Dominic? Please tell me he's all right now. Can I see him? Is he still inside?" Craig shook his head sadly, closing his eyes so he did not have to see her. Even so he could feel the soreness of her sobs and refusals to accept this fate. Reaching for the OmniTech power, he created a barrier inside himself.
So what came next did not hurt at all.
"We told Sarah, basically, the truth," Craig reported to Soleron, who sat in a chair with one arm, resting on the tabletop, holding his head up, the other rolling a golf ball back and forth. The small Earth item, a gift from Seraide, had become Soleron's substitute worry globe, replacing the one he had given to his successor. "We told her somebody arrived and took Dominic away somewhere where he would be safe. She still had trouble believing it, and wanted to know if it was really just a dream. None of us challenged that idea."
Soleron nodded. "I am forced to admit you handled the situation well, but you should be prepared to handle one just like it at any moment. What I really want to discuss with you is your...unique...use of Barriers."
"I will use the power as I see fit," Craig replied. "The others gave their oaths; I did not."
"Sometimes when Omni Rangers are chosen," explained Soleron, "they discover strengths in some uses of the power and weaknesses in others. All Rangers in recorded history have demonstrated some type of strength. I believe your gift has something to do with the creation of Barriers, a truly useful ability if used correctly."
The teenager smiled in satisfaction. "By 'correctly,' you mean 'under your guidance,' I assume? Offer appreciated, offer refused."
Soleron stayed clam, cool and relaxed, but Seraide must have sensed his rising irritation, because she situated a warning gaze on him. "I wielded those powers for five years," he said smoothly, "and for twenty I lived by them alone in a power-created cryogenic state. There still exists a bond between myself and the power, so I can sense how you utilize it. Creating barriers in your mind to separate emotion from reason is dangerous!"
"A necessary danger," said Craig. "I've given up my friends and everything short of my life to help you hunt down your enemy, without so much as a decent explanation of what terrible things your villain has done besides create a fellowship, just like you guys are doing with us. I am giving up everything, including who I am, for this fight, because I'm going to do it right. And when it's all over..."
Soleron growled as he said them, and the words left Craig's mouth in cold, broken tones.
"...I'm going to destroy OmniTech."
Original Publication Date: 13 August 1999
